Medical workers demonstrate

Thousands of medical workers kicked off their demonstration against the government on Monday, marching from the Public Health Ministry to the Lat Phrao five-way intersection.

They are demanding reforms before the election and the establishment of a neutral and acceptable mechanism to reform politics and prevent a “dictatorship democracy”.

They say that election on February 2 must be postponed and the caretaker government led by Yingluck Shinawatra should get out to pave the way for the reforms. If the government does not respond to their demands, they will escalate their demonstration to topple government.

A group led by former senior health officials and experts including former Public Health Minister Dr Momgkol Na Songkla, who was designated during the military government in 2006, former Food and Drug Administration secretary general Dr Siriwat Thiptharadol, Dr Chatree Chareonchiwakul, former head of the Medical Emergency Institute of Thailand, Thailand Health Promotion Institute director Dr Hatai Chitanont, National Health Commission secretary general Dr Amphon Jindawattana, and former Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Phaijit Warachit joined the rally.